LEGO Foundation Fellowship 2026

The Social Science Research Council (SSRC) is currently accepting applications for its LEGO Foundation Fellowship 2026. This global initiative supports researchers working to deepen our understanding of how children thrive. Below are the key details about the fellowship:

🏛️ About the SSRC LEGO Foundation Fellowship

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship is a global initiative aimed at supporting early- and mid-career researchers across disciplines such as education, psychology, public health, data science, and humanitarian studies. The fellowship focuses on generating evidence that positively impacts children’s lives.

💰 Benefits of the Fellowship

The fellowship offers the following benefits:

• Flexible research funding of USD 300,000 over three years (inclusive of 15% indirect costs).
• Funding administered by the fellow’s host institution.
• Support for eligible research costs, including:
  • Research personnel
  • Professional travel
  • Equipment
  • Dissemination
  • Trainee support
  • Related project costs
• Access to a cohort of fellows working on children’s thriving across disciplines and contexts.
• Opportunities for exchange with other fellows, researchers, practitioners, and partners, including at convenings hosted by the LEGO Foundation.
• Media channels to disseminate your work to a broader audience.
• Recognition as part of the LEGO Foundation’s network.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

The fellowship is open to early- and mid-career researchers from around the world who meet the following criteria:

Applicants should demonstrate:

• A strong record of research accomplishment relative to career stage.
• A clear and original research agenda related to one or more fellowship themes.
• Strong methodological grounding and a feasible plan for the fellowship period.
• Interest in engaging with an interdisciplinary fellowship cohort.

Applicants must:

• Hold a PhD or equivalent research doctorate by July 31, 2026.
• Have received their PhD within the past 10 years (subject to any approved career-break policy).
• Be employed by a university or research institute at the start of the fellowship.
• Be able to have fellowship funds administered by their host institution.
• Submit an individual application.
• Propose work that aligns with one or more fellowship themes.

📝 Application Process

Applicants are required to submit the following materials:

1. A standard online application form
2. A resume or CV (two-page limit)
3. A research abstract (250-word limit)
4. A personal statement (500-word limit) addressing:
   • Your inspiration for pursuing research into childhood development.
   • How the proposed research will contribute to scholarly knowledge on the topic.
   • How the proposed research will support your capacity for leadership in moving discovery into practice.
5. A research proposal (5-page limit) including:
   • Relevance: Clearly articulate the research question you will answer.
   • Original Contribution: Describe the practical implications of the proposed research and its usefulness to scholars, practitioners, and/or policymakers.
   • Methods: Outline the methods, data collection, and analysis plan. Include steps to ensure data reliability and plans for obtaining IRB approval (if applicable).
   • Feasibility: Address potential challenges and how you plan to overcome them.
   • Work to Date: Provide a brief description of related research work done to date.
   • Budget: Include a one-page budget and a two-page budget justification.
6. A selected bibliography (2-page limit) relevant to the proposed research.

📅 Application Deadline

The deadline to apply for the fellowship is 31 July, 2026.

🌐 Additional Information

For more details about the fellowship, visit the official SSRC LEGO Foundation Fellowship page.

This fellowship is a unique opportunity for researchers to contribute to the well-being of children globally while advancing their own academic and professional careers. Don't miss the chance to make a meaningful impact!

• Flexible research funding of USD 300,000 over three years, inclusive of 15% indirect costs.
• Funding administered by the fellow’s host institution.
• Support for eligible research costs, including personnel, travel, equipment, and related project costs.
• Access to a cohort of fellows across disciplines.
• Opportunities for exchange with scholars and practitioners.
• Media channels for disseminating work.
• Recognition in LEGO Foundation’s network.